Finally got around to installing new shocks on 2019 f3, having problems had the top bolt in (front) but having problems getting shock compressed to put lower bolt in. Went to reposition the jack so i could raise the bike more and lowered the bike more than i wanted to.. bike dropped quicker than i was comfortable with but i managed to get it raised quickly. My concern is could i have messed something up with respect to the front tire / alignment? Got both front shocks installed, didn't see any signs of damage.. tried to measure "critical dimenstion" like between a arm and rotor, etc but didn't see anything. Rolled bike back and forth in garage and no grinding or binding but still a little concerned. Any thoughts on whether or not i could have screwed something up or not? Things to check?
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Might have screwed up
- Thread starter AzBTO
- Start date
trikermutha
New member
If it didn't hit the floor you are fine. What I mean by that is if you had the wheel off and the rotor hit the floor it could be warped.
If not you are fine
Now are the shocks adjustable for height?
If not you are fine
Now are the shocks adjustable for height?
Yeah tire was on so rotor definitely didnt hit the floor... just didn't happen like i wanted it to 
Part of my concern is i'm not really sure how the a arms / shocks play together, i know the shocks/springs dampen the ride but is that it? Is it safe (not recommended) to lower the bike if with no shocks installed or would that damage something. Anyone have any references on how the suspension plays together please let me know, I am curious now.
Part of my concern is i'm not really sure how the a arms / shocks play together, i know the shocks/springs dampen the ride but is that it? Is it safe (not recommended) to lower the bike if with no shocks installed or would that damage something. Anyone have any references on how the suspension plays together please let me know, I am curious now.
JP58
New member
The shocks do not hold the suspension up. The springs do. But since the springs are in the shocks i guess the suspension would drop till it locks. I really doubt you could hurt anything or knock it out of alignment. The suspension has much more stress on it when your riding it and still stays aligned.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
I've worked with " coil-over shocks " in auto applications , and Spyders are relatively the same. The bottom of the shock/spring can only go to a point past where you need to put the bolt thru the bracket.... the only thing that would occur is scratches to the paint the shock and " A " arm structure are fine ..... Mike :thumbup:
trikermutha
New member
Unless you bent something you are fine.
No idea if you purchased Elka or M2 shocks. I installed M2's at all 3 wheels and love them. But it did take some tweaking over several miles to get them set right for me. BTW with the rear shock I ended up putting 20lbs of air in the rear. Rear was set great for solo but would bottom out with a passenger over bumps. It was just easier to put that little amount of air in the rear than to try to reach up and make anymore adjustments.
trikermutha
New member
Now I have a RT and did most of my work with the bike just off the floor when needed and removed the side panel to access the upper shock bolt. Not sure how the F3 is setup. I now Marcus had a Video on the F3 removal of the shock.
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